A prayer vigil was held in Peoria Thursday following the killing of nine people at a historic African American church this week in South Carolina. The event was held at Ward Chapel AME Church. Pastor Elaine Gordon says the vigil’s message is to both oppose injustice and try to heal:
“We must be watchful and vigilant, but at the same time we must also remember that we cannot become like those who commit the same types of acts, lest we become them.”
A South Carolina pastor also died in the shooting. Pastor Gordon says the shooting in Charleston carries personal meaning for some in the Peoria congregation:
“One of my members said ‘Pastor, that’s my home, what’s where I grew up, I grew up around the corner.’ So it’s closer than we realize.”
Gordon also says the event reminds church leaders that services and events must continue despite any potential risks:
“And so I have to trust God, even in the midst of possible personal harm. We must continue to have Bible study, we must continue to have prayers meetings, we must continue to worship.”